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As you’ll remember from your own childhood memories, playgrounds are a place for children to adventure and explore with their friends. They offer numerous benefits in terms of helping children socialise and get active, but could they also support learning for disabled children?

Sensory playground equipment specialists Infinite Playgrounds discusses the current accessibility of UK playgrounds and the potential benefits they can bring for disabled children.

Through the Eyes of Me is a sensitive and illuminating account of life as a child with autism. Through this beautiful, colourful picture book, readers will meet 4-year-old Kya, getting to know her likes and dislikes and all the nuances of her character. An ideal tool for developing an understanding of autism with young readers, the book has received numerous endorsements from parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals.

Israel’s Athena Fund, a nonprofit organization empowering teachers, has launched a new international Facebook group, in English, for parents of children with special needs. The Athena Fund is engaged in a unique program – iPad for Every Special Education Teacher in Israel. According to the program, about 10,000 special education teachers in Israel will receive iPads with specialized software and applications for students with special needs and various disabilities. The new Facebook group contains posts in a number of areas of interest concerning parents of children with special needs, as well as information on Athena's special education activities.

Theraposture has been the considered choice since 1981. It provides quality assistive products with exceptional long term value backed up by impeccable and ethical support. Its Trusted Assessors work closely with OTs and families so that the most appropriate sleeping solution is supplied every time – ensuring independence, safety and well-being is always maximised.

The Language Show is the must-attend event for anyone with a passion for languages. Attend three inspirational days packed with over 50 CPD certified seminars, language classes, live forums, cultural performances and a large range of exhibitors promoting their latest advice and industry guidance. Find out more on our website at www.languageshowlive.co.uk/london/.

Continuing Professional Development enables teachers to maintain and enhance knowledge and skills to the benefit of their careers by improve pupil’s attainment. Seen as a highly valuable activity, CPD keeps you up-to-date with the newest advances in the industry, gives you access to leading seminars and displays your commitment to self-improvement.

There’s no doubt about it; children in the 21st Century are tech-savvy. With so many youngsters using smartphones and tablets, the classroom of today has become a more socially-inclusive environment. For the majority of pupils, the use of interactive technology will be very familiar and engaging, meaning they’ll often find it easier to stay on track and complete the work. For students with special educational needs (SEN), this is even more important, as it allows them to fully integrate with their peers.

While there are many digital tools and resources available to aid students with SEN, some are more effective than others in promoting inclusion in the classroom. This allows pupils to focus on the task at hand, rather than the method of delivery.

Parents, teachers and children have all changed their attitudes towards the outdoors. During the 1970s to the late 1990s, to be sent to the bedroom for a child would be considered a punishment as they wouldn’t be able to play outside; now, the bedroom is no longer considered a punishment.

Now, their bedrooms are home to alternative realities, brought about by digital platforms such as social media, games consoles and smart devices. They are distracted from the world outside their window.

Over 85 per cent of pet owners in the West Midlands believe having a dog can help to bring stress levels down.

In fact, research, conducted by leading manufacturer of premium pet supplements Lintbells, has found that on average dog owners in the West Midlands are happier in life and experience less stress because of their pet.

With almost a quarter of households in the UK now owning a dog the study found that dog owners are happier, more satisfied at work and more sociable than people without a pooch. In fact over 80 per cent of people in the West Midlands now consider their dog to be an integral part of their family.

Percussion Play Reveals the Secrets to Building the Perfect Musical Sensory Garden

UK-based outdoor musical instrument manufacturer Percussion Play details how to build inclusive spaces that allow everyone to experience music and nature, with a specialist guide to building a musical sensory garden.

Percussion Play has built musical instruments for parks, playgrounds and schools all around the world – and now, they’re sharing their specialist knowledge on sensory gardens.

In the free guide, the UK’s leading outdoor musical instrument manufacturer showcases their tips on planning, planting and percussion so that everyone can enjoy music, sound and the great outdoors.

Young people are our future and businesses play a vital role in providing them with an insight into the working world.

Lauren Brown (pictured) discusses a synergised approach to ensure businesses are engaged in helping school leavers to have unrestricted access to the workplace. Recently, I attended an internship presentation morning with a local technology employer and heard all about the experiences of two young school pupils who, as ‘interns’, were just coming to the end of their 4-week spell in the workplace. According to them, the experience was not only eye-opening, it was life changing!

An East Yorkshire riding school has become the latest riding establishment to sign up to a national scheme encouraging more disabled people to take up horse riding.

Oxmardyke Equestrian Centre, based on the outskirts of Gilberdyke, has received the seal of approval to become an Accessibility Mark accredited centre.

Riding for the Disabled Association, in partnership with the British Equestrian Federation’s participation programme, launched the revolutionary Accessibility Mark scheme to work with commercial riding centres with the aim of getting more disabled people to participate in riding.

Unique, Touching Video Brings Testimonials of Parents of Teens with Special Needs (Including Autism) Using iPad to Communicate with Their Surroundings

Tel Aviv, Israel, July 27, 2017. Israel’s Athena Fund, a nonprofit organization empowering teachers, has produced a unique video to raise awareness of the incredible ability of teens with special needs (including autism) to communicate with their families and friends with the help of an iPad.

An innovative North East college has been recognised for its outstanding work in encouraging diversity and equality in its organisation and the local community.

Gateshead College has been shortlisted for the Diverse Company Award in this year’s National Diversity Awards, which take place on September 8 at the stunning Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool.

Charities and role models from across the UK will gather at the event – dubbed the UK’s largest celebration of diversity – to showcase and celebrate the outstanding achievements of those who have demonstrated their devotion to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion in society.

Street dance group ‘Autism with Attitude’ have made history as the first special needs dance team to qualify for the United Dance Organisations (UDO) World Championships in Glasgow.

Members of the group have developed their skills since attending Hillingdon Manor School, in Uxbridge. Teacher Jonathan Baron said: “The SEN dance world is currently very small and in fact they were the first dance team with special needs to take part in the event.”

Hillingdon Manor is an Outcomes First Group centre of excellence in education and development, for children aged five to 19 years with an autistic spectrum condition (ASC).

A study into the state of the nation’s schools has revealed that 85% of teachers think the school environment affects learning and behaviour.

Nearly 40% said a neglected classroom affected learning, with 28% claiming it can have a negative effect on behaviour. In addition, a fifth believe attendance is affected by run down school environments according to the study, carried out to mark the launch of the Dulux Smarter Spaces 2017 initiative.

A DONATION of £1500 and a group of over 20 eager volunteers from intu have helped to rejuvenate the old school playground at Autism East Midlands’ Fairview and Lynton residential home to a haven for residents ahead of warmer weather in Carlton this week.

The garden based at Fairview and Lynton residential home, offers the residents with autism a safe and secure environment to go about their daily lives. A garden has played a role in the lives of the residents at their old home at Linby Drive.

Natalie Packer, author of The Teacher’s Guide to SEN and SEND Consultant for the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), looks at the impact this has on teaching and learning, and how teachers can meet the needs of these pupils effectively.

Just over 14 per cent of pupils in the UK are currently identified as having Special Educational Needs (SEN). On average, that equates to approximately four pupils in every mainstream class.

One of the key messages of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice 2014 is that every teacher is responsible and accountable for every pupil in their class, including those with SEN. So what does this mean in practice for a class or subject teacher?

With budgets tightening and class sizes on the rise, there has never been a more urgent need for school leaders to find creative ways to future-proof their finances.

Finding ways to generate additional income for the school is no longer just about raising money for extra purchases, but rather a necessity for schools to meet fundamental expenses, such as teaching staff’s salaries, and vital learning resources, such as textbooks for the pupils.

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